Ford Focus gets EcoBoost Hybrid electrified powertrain

MANILA: Ford announced that the enriched Ford Focus, which includes a fuel-efficient EcoBoost Hybrid electrified powertrain, is already available in Europe. Customers worldwide, especially in the Philippines, are possibly rooting for the electrified version of the Focus to roll out soon in the global market.

The 48-volt mild-hybrid technology allows the new Focus 1.0-liter EcoBoost Hybrid to deliver 153hp of power output, compared with the outgoing 148hp 1.5-liter EcoBoost petrol engine with six-speed manual transmission (NEDC).

Situating the 48-volt battery underneath the front passenger seats has enabled the mild-hybrid powertrain to be incorporated with no loss of passenger or cargo space for Focus customers.

The Focus EcoBoost Hybrid models, with 123hp power output, serve as a replacement for the standard alternator of the 1.0-liter EcoBoost petrol engine having a belt-driven incorporated starter/generator (BISG). It allows energy recuperation, which is typically lost during coasting and braking for charging a 48-volt lithium-ion air-cooled battery pack.

The BISG also functions as a motor, incorporating the engine and utilizing the stored energy to deliver torque assistance during acceleration and normal driving, along with running the electrical ancillaries of the vehicle.

The smart, automatic mild-hybrid device constantly tracks how the vehicle is used to know when and how intensively the battery is charged for maximum gain. It also allows anyone to identify the stored battery charge through the use of one of two approaches, namely, torque supplementation and torque substitution.

Torque substitution uses the BISG electric motor usability to produce up to 24Nm of torque.

Torque supplementation, on the other hand, deploys the BISG electric motor functionality to elevate the total torque available from the powertrain by up to 20Nm beyond the level possible from the petrol engine at full load. This brings up to 50% more torque for maximum performance.

Moreover, the more robust BISG allows the Auto Start-Stop technology of the Focus Hybrid EcoBoost to function in a broader selection of circumstances for more substantial fuel savings.

Aside from this, Focus EcoBoost Hybrid powertrains feature the fuel-saving cylinder deactivation technology that continuously supports its available engines. Customers can also select between 1.5-liter EcoBlue and 2.0-liter EcoBlue diesel engines, with advanced six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic transmissions available.

Supplementing the new electrified powertrain option is the new 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster that brings a superb driver experience. The wholly designed LCD cluster utilizes 24-bit “true-color” technology to produce high-definition, detailed, and more distinct icons and images in the full-color spectrum. It also features discreet, bright graphics and themes to provide the driver with information regarding their electrical energy utilization.

It also includes the standard FordPass Connect modem that generates an enriched ownership experience and connectivity. It enables Ford Focus drivers to take advantage of local hazard information alerts for the first time, which in turn, informs vehicle owners of risky situations on the road even when such incidents are not readily visible because of road bends or blocks.

As for the local hazard information, notifications are brought independent of the sat-nav, and originate typically from driving information from other vehicles linked to “the cloud,” emergency services, and local authorities. Such hazard alerts include road works; broken-down vehicles; objects, pedestrians, animals in the carriageway; and even risky driving conditions are brought to the vehicle over-the-air, providing drivers with advanced caution of developing situations that are greater than their perspective.

Advanced driver assistance technologies include the active park assist that functions in braking, acceleration, and gear selection to allow fully automated maneuvers through one long push of a button, lane centering and speed sign recognition for smoothly negotiating stop-start traffic, and adaptive cruise control with stop and go. Pre-collision assist with active braking is also used as standard, enabling drivers to lessen or avoid the effects of collisions with cyclists, pedestrians, and other vehicles.

A new Focus Zetec Edition variant provides standard specifications for private and business drivers, which include a wireless charging pad and navigation for the SYNC voice-activated connectivity system having an eight-inch touchscreen. Powerfold mirrors and front and rear parking sensors are considered as standard.

Focus is also continually available in SUV-inspired Focus Active Edition crossover, chic Focus Titanium Edition, and in exquisite Focus Vignale Edition and athletic Focus ST-Line Edition specifications, in five-door and wagon according to the variant. EcoBoost Hybrid powertrains also exist across the range.

Photos from Ford

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